Binuclear and polymeric manganese( II ) salicylate complexes: synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic activity of [Mn 2 (Hsal) 4 (H 2 O) 4 ] and [{Mn 2 (sal) 2 (Hsal)(H 2 O)-(H 3 O)(py) 4 ·2py} n ](H 2 sal = salicylic acid, py = pyridine)

The two air-stable manganese(II) salicylate complexes [Mn2(Hsal)4(H2O)4]1 and polymeric [{Mn2(sal)2(Hsal)(H2O)(H3O)(py)4·2py}n]2(H2sal = salicylic acid and py = pyridine) have been synthesised easily, and their crystal structures determined. Both contain unsymmetrically bridging salicylate ligands. In the presence of added pyridine 1 and 2 vigorously catalyse the disproportionation of H2O2.